[Player Ratings] Arsenal 3-3 Fulham: Something Is Seriously Wrong With Arsenal FC

Arsenal blew a 2-goal lead for the second time in 5 days and Mikel Arteta missed a last second penalty as we drew 3-3 with Fulham on Saturday. 

Giroud powered home a head before Podolski made it 2-0 inside 25 minutes but how many Gooners can honestly say they felt comfortable with the scoreline? Even at 2-0 you knew this Arsenal team would struggle to see the game out and sure enough Fulham were level before half time. Both goals coming from simple defensive errors.

Then, the visitors took the lead after Arteta hauled down Ruiz in the area and Berbatov calmly slotted home. It took for us to be 3-2 behind to finally start playing with some urgency and Giroud levelled with a decent header on 69 minutes.

We had over 20 minutes to find a winner and were given the perfect opportunity when awarded a generous penalty in the fourth minute of added time. Arteta, who was having his worst game in an Arsenal shirt stepped up ahead of Giroud – a striker on a hat trick – and saw his effort saved. Why on earth did Arteta take that penalty?!!?!

3-3 it finished and there is something seriously wrong with Arsenal FC. We are so weak mentally and defensively it’s a joke. Many thought Steve Bould was the answer, but he clearly isn’t. Arsene Wenger….time to start earning that £7m-a-year salary and sort this out sharpish.

Arsenal Ratings

Mannone – 6 – Should have done better with the second but made some decent stops to keep us in it.

Sagna – 5 – Awful first half and left Berbatov alone to head home their first but got forward well in the last 30 minutes to support the attack.

Mertesacker – 5 – Played his part in another disastrous defensive display from Arsenal. Not the worst culprit but we expect much better from a guy with such experience.

Koscielny – 6 – Was also at fault for Fulham’s first but made two excellent blocks in the second half.

Vermaelen – 6 – Like his team mates, terrible for the first 60 minutes but really got forward in search of the equaliser and subsequent winner.

Arteta – 4 – Worst performance in an Arsenal shirt. Easily. Lost possession countless times, passing was off and lost possession in his own box which forced him to bring down Ruiz for their third. Compounded his misery by missing a last minute penalty to win the game. He will be back, and fair play for stepping up to take the spot kick, but Giroud should have taken it.

Coquelin – 6 – At least he showed some effort to get the ball back when he was on the pitch. Subbed inside 60 minutes.

Cazorla – 5 – Another quiet game. Our creative hub has gone missing in recent games and i hope it’s just fatigue that’s the problem.

Walcott – 7.5 – Two excellent assists for Giroud and once again showed how important his pace and movement is to our attacking play.

Podolski – 6 – Nice movement to get on the end of Arteta’s cut-back for his goal, but otherwise pretty quiet again.

Giroud – 8.5 – Best performance at Arsenal so far. Two superb headers and went close to adding a third late on. Should have demanded the ball for the penalty, hopefully vice-captain Arteta pulled rank on him and it wasn’t a case of Giroud didn’t fancy it.

Subs:

Ramsey – 5 – Came on, got booked, fouled twice more and was close to being sent off.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5 – Didn’t see as much of the ball as he’d have liked after replacing Walcott with 10 minutes left.

Arshavin – 6 – Won the late penalty.

If you haven’t seen the goals or highlights you can watch them here.

Tottenham up next. Let’s hope these set of players either A) learn how to defend or B) learn how to hold a lead in the next week. I’m not holding my breath.

What would your ratings be? Get involved in the comments section.